1.1 Warmup• Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) once said that

without government, life would be but a “state of nature” and would be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.”

• Read the Biography handout about Thomas Hobbes (It is on the bookshelf.) On your own paper, please answer (yes, in complete sentences) the two questions at the end.

• At your table, discuss the Activity question, and summarize your group’s evaluation of Hobbes’s ideas.

• You have 15 minutes. Turn it in (as well as the handout) and get a fill-in notes packet for Chapter 1 from the book shelf

Section 1.1 – The Purposes of Government

Chapter 1 – Foundations of Government

A. Government 1. A government is a formal set of institutions and the process

through which decisions are made for a group of people.

I. What is Government?

B. Three components of Government: 1. People – government officials may be elected, appointed, or

self–proclaimed leaders.

a. The United States demonstrates many examples of citizens serving as political leaders or government employees.

i.) President Obama and members of Congress

ii.) The U.S. Supreme Court

iii.) Military personnel

iv.) U.S. Postal workers and TSA agents

v.) DMV workers (at the state level)

I. What is Government?

B. Three components of Government (continued): 2. Powers – the government’s authority and ability to accomplish its goals and

maintain order.

a. Legislative Power – the power to create laws and programs

b. Executive Power – the power to carry out and enforce laws and programs

c. Judicial Power – the power to interpret the law and settle disputes between citizens and the government

I. What is Government?

B. Three components of Government (continued): 3. Policy – any decision made by the government in pursuit of a particular

goal.

a. A policy can take the form of laws, government programs, or a set of government actions.

I. What is Government?

Tax policy and minimum wage

Health Care Social Security

Foreign and military policy

A. Population 1. A state (nation) must have people in order for a government to be

established.

II. Characteristics of a State (nation–state)

No Population = No Government

B. Territory1. A state (nation) must have clearly defined borders.

a. Unsecure borders can cause a variety of problems for a nation.

b. Territory disputes has been one of the most common causes of warfare through the course of history.

II. Characteristics of a State (nation–state)

Protecting the U.S. border has become a major political topic

II. Characteristics of a State (nation–state)

C. Government1. A state (nation) establishes a government in order to create and enforce

rules for the people living within a specific territory.

a. The government of the United States is one of the most stable in the world and is the envy of many other nations.

The Framers designed a republican form of government created a system of checks and balances and emphasized citizens’ rights and

limits on the government’s power

D. Sovereignty 1. A state (nation) has the supreme power to act within its own territory and control its own affairs.

a. Nations exercise sovereignty by operating independently and by establishing authority to make decisions and govern the people.

II. Characteristics of a State (nation–state)

The drafting and presentation of the Declaration of Independence established American sovereignty

A. Ensure National Security 1. Governments must guard their nation’s territory and protect the people

against internal and external threats.

a. These threats may include enemy countries, terrorists or hostile groups, natural disasters, and illness/disease.

III. Functions of Government

B. Maintain Order1. Governments establish and enforce laws which secure citizens’ rights,

protect private property, and set clear rules for unacceptable behavior.

a. Illegal actions and punishments vary greatly from one country to another.

III. Functions of Government

III. Functions of Government

C. Resolve Conflict1. Many governments rely on politics and a judicial system to resolve

conflict.

a. Politics is the process of making decisions and carrying out actions.

b. Judicial systems (courts) determine if a law has been broken, and if so, what appropriate actions should be taken.

D. Provide Services 1. Governments use tax dollars to offer many

services which improve citizens’ quality of life and promote national prosperity.

a. Offering these services is also known as providing for the “common good.”

b. Services are provided to citizens by the federal, state, and local levels of government.

III. Functions of Government

Roads and Bridges Parks and other public places Public libraries

Public schools and education

E. Provide for the Public Good 1. Governments promote citizens’ general health and well–being by making

decisions and taking action in the best interest of everyone.

a. In America, this is referred to as promoting the “general welfare.”

2. The Preamble of the U.S. Constitution lays out our government’s goals in promoting the public good.

III. Functions of Government

A young boy receives a Swine Flu vaccine in 2009.

A. Divine Right1. This theory holds that rulers are chosen by God (or gods) and discourages the people from challenging his power.

a. This belief was common during ancient times and the middle ages.

2. If rulers are seen as right and proper, citizens will voluntarily accept that person as a leader.

a. Rulers who lack legitimacy are more likely to meet resistance and have their authority challenged by the people or other rulers.

IV. Theories of Rule

Chinese Mandate of Heaven

B. Natural Law and Natural Rights 1. This is the belief that all people possess natural rights that cannot be

diminished or taken away by rulers (the government).

a. The concept of natural rights was made popular by English philosopher John Locke (1632–1704).

b. Locke believed that natural rights are “God–given” and his ideas were later reflected in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

IV. Theories of Rule

C. Social Contract Theory 1. Established by political philosophers (including John Locke), social contract is

an agreement between citizens and the government.

2. This agreement consists of two parts:

a. Citizens agree to be governed and submit to the government’s authority. (Examples: Obeying laws, paying taxes, etc.)

b. The government agrees to govern justly and reflect the will of the people. (Examples: Protect citizens’ rights, maintain order, etc.)

IV. Theories of Rule

John Locke and other Enlightenment thinkers developed social contract

C. Social Contract Theory (continued) 3. According to the ideas of Locke, if the government becomes corrupt or

destructive and does not recognize citizens’ natural rights, the people may justify overthrowing it and creating a new government.

IV. Theories of Rule

Section 1.2 – Forms of Government

A. Monarchy 1. In this system, government is

headed by a single ruler (usually a king or queen).

2. The monarch has ultimate authority over the government.

a. Power is inherited (passed in blood line) through the royal family.

I. The Classic Forms

King Henry VIII of England

King Louis XIV of France

A king and his subjects

A. Monarchy (continued) 3. Over the last few centuries, traditional monarchies have given way to

constitutional monarchies.

a. In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch and royal family maintain a political presence, however, they are only ceremonial heads and have little political power.

b. Most government power is held within a legislative body.

I. The Classic Forms

Queen Elizabeth II of England inherited the Royal throne in 1952

B. Dictatorship 1. In this system, a single ruler (or small group) holds unlimited power over the

government.

a. Dictators often acquire power by overthrowing the previous government (through the use of violence, revolutions, etc.).

b. Dictators often maintain order and keep power through the use of force and intimidation tactics.

I. The Classic Forms

Fidel Castro became dictator of Cuba

in 1959

His brother, Raul Castro took over in

2008

B. Dictatorship (continued) 2. A totalitarian government is the most extreme form of a dictatorship in which

ALL aspects of life are controlled by the government.

a. Personal beliefs and actions are heavily regulated and monitored by the government (freedoms and privacy are non-existent).

I. The Classic Forms

Kim Jong–Un became the leader of North Korea in 2011

B. Dictatorship (continued) 3. An oligarchy is the rule by a small group of aristocrats (wealthy members of

the upper class).

a. The oligarchy system of government developed in Ancient Greece.

4. A theocracy is a system in which government is controlled by a group of religious leaders.

a. The Vatican City is a modern day example of a theocracy.

I. The Classic Forms

Oligarchies originated in Ancient Greece

Pope Benedict XVI speaks at the Vatican City

C. Democracy 1. The term democracy means “rule by the people.”

a. Democracy originated in the Greek city–state of Athens.

2. In a pure democracy, majority rule is exercised in making decisions.

a. Majority rule is implemented by a vote; whatever the majority (more than half – 50.1% or more) decides will be carried out.

i.) Majority rule can be flawed (because the majority group may try to limit/diminish the rights of the minority group).

I. The Classic Forms

How many people make a majority?Remember – a majority is any number greater than half!!

A group of 12

A group of 435

A group of 100

7 makes a majority

218 makes a majority

51 makes a majority

C. Democracy (continued)3. Direct democracy occurs when ALL citizens directly participate in the

political process.

a. This occurred in Ancient Greece and the New England Colonies.

b. Direct democracy is not practical today due to large populations.

I. The Classic Forms

Direct democracy being practiced in Switzerland (2006) and in colonial America (New England colonies)

C. Democracy (continued)4. A republic is an indirect democracy in which citizens vote for elected officials to make political decisions and to represent them.

a. An indirect democracy is also known as a representative democracy (or a republic).

b. Examples include the Roman Republic and the United States.

I. The Classic Forms

Representative (indirect) democracy was first implemented by the Romans and is exercised in the United States

A. Unitary System1. Power is concentrated in a single national (central) government.

a. Regional and local governments carry out decisions made by the national (central) government.

B. Federal System1. Power is shared by national, state, and regional (local) governments.

2. This system is used in the United States.

C. Confederal System1. States join together to form a confederation (“a loose association

of states”) and delegate powers to the national (central) government.

2. The national government derives its power from the states.

a. Individual states hold more power than the national government.

Diagram of Three Systems of Government

II. Organizing National Power

A. Presidential System1. An elected president heads the executive branch for a fixed term.

a. Presidents appoint cabinet members and judges, execute policy, serve as the head of the armed forces, direct foreign policy, and influence legislation.

b. A president’s powers are balanced by an independent, elected legislature.

i.) A system of checks and balances and the separation of powers prevent the president from abusing power.

III. Presidents and Parliaments

B. Parliamentary System1. The executive and legislative branches are combined in this system.

2. The legislative branch consists of an elected parliament (Parliament is the American equivalent to Congress).

3. There is no president; the government is headed by a prime minister.

a. The prime minister is selected by parliament and is always a member of parliament’s majority party.

III. Presidents and Parliaments

The United Kingdom sets a world wide example of a parliamentary system

U.S. President Barack Obama and U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron together in 2010

1.3 Warmup – Please get a Democracy in America Handout

Directions: Read about Alexis de Tocqueville and his travels to the United Steas in the early 1830s and his writings about that trip.

ON YOUR OWN PAPER (please don’t write on the handout) –

Answer the three questions about the document.

Turn it in and get out your note sheet. We will be talking about

section 1.3 in 15 minutes.

Section 1.3 – Democracy in the United States

A. Liberty1. This is the freedom of people to think and act as they choose; as long as

they do not diminish the liberty or harm the well–being of others.

a. During the constitutional era, liberty was perceived as freedom from government interference.

b. In recent years, liberty has evolved into citizens having the freedom to exercise rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

I. Ideals of American Democracy

B. Equality1. This is the concept that all people possess a fundamental, moral worth which

entitles them to fair treatment under the law and equal opportunity in all aspects of life.

I. Ideals of American Democracy

Changing ideas of liberty have resulted in the adoption of various constitutional amendments and laws.

What laws/amendments can you think of that have been created in order to promote equality?

French noble Alexis de Tocqueville traveled to U.S. in the 1830s to explore American equality.

He observed many examples of equality, but took note of inequality such as the poor treatment of Native Americans and described what he saw concerning “the abomination of

slavery.”

C. Self–Government 1. This is the principle that ordinary citizens should govern themselves and do

so as political equals.

a. The people are the ultimate source of the government’s authority.

b. The Declaration of Independence reflects this concept: i.)

ii.)

I. Ideals of American Democracy

“…Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed...”

“…whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it,

and to institute a new Government…”

A. Worth of the Individual1. The Founding Fathers believed that, if left free to pursue their own path,

people can reach their highest potential.

a. This principle values individual freedoms, personal responsibility, self–reliance, and individual achievement.

b. This is also reflected in the Declaration of Independence.

i.) “…All men are created equal…” and are born with rights to “…Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness…”

II. Principles of American Democracy

B. Rule of Law1. The U.S. government and elected officials are subject to recognized and

enforced limits on their powers.

a. This forces government officials to honor the law and allows them to be held accountable when they do not.

b. No citizen is “above the law,” even the President of the United States.

II. Principles of American Democracy

<The power of the U.S. Constitution is greater than

all of the greatest U.S. presidents combined

C. Majority Rule, Minority Rights1. Majority rule is valued as a fundamental of democracy and allows the

majority the ability to impose its will.

a.) By definition, a majority is any percentage which is greater than half (50.1% or greater).

2. Minority rights, are the rights and freedoms held by a small percentage of the population.

II. Principles of American Democracy

C. Majority Rule, Minority Rights (continued)3. It is crucial that a balance is reached between majority rule and the rights

of minority groups in order for the government to respect the will of the people, while still protecting the rights of the minority.

II. Principles of American Democracy

Hypothetical Situation:

If 85% of Americans voted to confiscate all property and personal belongings from Americans with red hair, it would violate that group’s minority rights. Therefore,

in this scenario, majority rule would violate many American principles!

D. Compromise1. This is the ability of two or more groups to negotiate and

work together in order to reach an agreement.

a.) When conflicts occur, compromise is a necessity in order to keep the political process moving.

II. Principles of American Democracy

Many Americans are in favor of cutting taxes and eliminating spending on

government programs.

Therefore, a compromise must be reached between the two groups in order to promote the public good.

However, millions of Americans depend on those programs for welfare, food

stamps, and government housing.

E. Citizen Participation1. This is the responsibility of citizens to become well–informed and actively

involved and engaged in government.

a. In a strong democracy, citizens will: i.) become informed on political issues, ii.) speak their minds,

iii.) serve on juries, iv.) debate public issues, v.) run for public office, vi.) attend community meetings, vii.) pay taxes, viii.) sign up for military service

ix.) join political parties, andx.) VOTE!!!!

II. Principles of American Democracy

You don’t

need to write these!

A. Free Enterprise1. The free enterprise economic system used in the United States allows

citizens and businesses to make their own decisions about how best to produce, distribute, and exchange goods and services.

a. Under this system, Americans have a great deal of “economic freedom” with minimal government intervention in the economy.

III. Free Enterprise

A. Free Enterprise (continued)2. The Founding Fathers believed maintaining economic freedom was crucial in

preserving other freedoms in our society.

a. They embraced John Locke’s emphasis on protecting private property.

3. The U.S. government has gradually increased its involvement in the economy, when it has proved to be necessary.

a. The government’s involvement increased dramatically during the Progressive Era (1880s – 1920) and Great Depression (1930s).

III. Free Enterprise

Child labor laws protect young children from dangerous work

environments. The government restricts monopolies in order to protect consumers.

New Deal programs created by the federal government put people back

to work.

Examples of Increasing Government Action in the Economy

System #1 System #2 System #3